Magazine Well Insert for Interchanging Firearm Magazine Types

ABSTRACT

A magazine well insert operable to allow a firearm user to insert the magazine of a second firearm model into the magazine well of a first firearm model. The magazine well insert may be made of two interlocking pieces that have an external shape that matches the shape of the magazine well of the first firearm model and an internal shape that matches the magazine shape of the second firearm model. The magazine of the second firearm model is inserted into the insert which is then inserted into the magazine well of the first firearm model, allowing use of different magazine types in different firearm models.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/257,873, entitled “Magazine Well Insert” and filed on Nov. 20, 2015. Such application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A magazine in a firearm is the part of the firearm that stores ammunition for feeding into the chamber. Generally, magazines may be detachable or integral to the firearm. Given the fact that there is a wide variety of firearm types, models, shapes, and sizes, magazines, too, come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some magazines are even shaped and sized in a way that makes them compatible with only a certain type of firearm. For example, the HK417 rifle is a 308 caliber (7.62×51 mm) semi-automatic rifle made by Heckler and Koch GmbH and has been adapted for use by U.S. armed services and police forces. Civilian variants of the HK417 rile, commonly known as the MR762, have been developed for use by civilians. The HK417 (MR 762) rifle uses proprietary magazines that are not compatible with other magazine variants. For example, the HK17 (MR762) rifles are not currently compatible with the U.S. standard magazine known as the SR 25 pattern, which is regarded as the military and firearms industry standard. Because the HK417 (MR762) model firearms use proprietary magazines, owners of HK417 (MR762) rifles do not have the ability to use other types of magazines, including SR-25 pattern magazines, with their HK417 (MR762) rifles. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by allowing owners of HK417 (MR 762) rifles to use other types of magazines, including SR-25 pattern magazines, with their HK417 (MR762) rifles. The present invention allows gun owners to use a variety of magazine types with their firearms, such that they are not limited to a specific magazine variant, whether the firearm is an HK417 (MR 762) model or another model type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to firearms, and more particularly to a magazine well insert that allows different types of magazines to be used in connection with otherwise incompatible weapon models. In one embodiment, for example, the insert of the present invention allows the user to utilize an SR-25 pattern magazine in HK417 (MR762) rifles, which traditionally are not compatible with SR-25 pattern magazines. SR-25 magazines are the standard of the U.S. military and are very plentiful in the U.S. civilian firearms market. Allowing use of SR-25 pattern magazines in HK417 rifles solves numerous logistical issues with the U.S. military, and in particular USSOCOM (United States Special Operations Command). The present invention also allows civilian users of the MR762 to access other brands of magazines. It is understood that, while an SR-25 magazine well insert for HK417/MR762 rifles is used as one example, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this example and instead may be utilized with other types of magazines and weapons without departing from the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing an SR-25 magazine inside the magazine well insert for the HK417/MR762 rifle.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of a HK417/MR762 rifle illustrating the position on the gun where one embodiment of the magazine well insert of the present invention is configured to be attached.

FIG. 3 is a left side view illustrating the position of the new magazine catch of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of one embodiment of the magazine well insert of the present invention with a magazine inserted into the magazine well insert.

FIG. 5 is the exploded view of one embodiment of the magazine well insert of the present invention with a magazine and a lower receiver of a firearm.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of one embodiment of the magazine well insert of the present invention inserted into the lower receiver of the firearm and the magazine inserted into the magazine well insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to firearms, and more particularly to a magazine well insert that allows different types of magazines to be used in connection with otherwise incompatible weapon models. While several examples are provided herein, including an SR-25 magazine well insert for HK417/MR762 rifles and an insert for AR-15 style rifles, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples and instead may be utilized with other types of magazines and weapons without departing from the scope of the present invention. Generally, a magazine well is the space into which a detachable magazine fits when it is installed into a firearm. The magazine holds the ammunition when the ammunition is not in position in the chamber for firing. Ammunition is loaded from the magazine into the chamber when the ammunition is ready to be fired. In some style rifles, including AR-15 rifles, a receiver houses the operating parts. The receiver includes an upper receiver and a lower receiver, with the lower receiver comprising the magazine well where the insert is inserted. The present invention is configured to be inserted into the existing magazine well or lower receiver of the firearm.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the magazine well insert 2 of the present invention may be described. Generally, the present invention comprises an insert 2 with an internal compartment for receiving a magazine 4, the insert 2 configured to be positioned in the magazine well 5 or lower receiver 10 of a firearm. The insert 2 has an external shape that matches the magazine well of a first firearm style and the internal compartment has an internal shape that matches the magazine 4 style of a second firearm. The insert 2 thus allows a magazine 4 of the second firearm to be used with the first firearm model. The components of the present invention are preferably metal; however, the components may alternatively be made of alloys or polymer materials.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the magazine well insert 2 of the present invention is a two piece insert 2 that allows the user to convert from a magazine type associated with a first firearm model to a different magazine type associated with a second firearm model. As represented in FIGS. 1-3, the magazine well insert 2 of this exemplary embodiment is a two piece insert 2 that allows the user to convert from HK (Heckler and Koch) proprietary magazines to standard SR-25 pattern magazines. The well insert 2 allows SR-25 magazines to be used in HK417/MR762 rifles. The magazine well insert 2 includes a left piece 1 and a right piece 3 that connect to form the insert 2. The pieces 1, 3 interlock to form a magazine insert 2 having four walls and an internal compartment configured to receive a magazine 4. The pieces 1, 3 may be interlocked by a dovetail or a miter seam. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the magazine insert 2 is a single, contiguous piece that is made by single-cast molding or injection molding. The insert 2 has the exterior shape of the magazine for the first firearm model such that the insert 2 fits snugly into the magazine well 5 or lower receiver 10 of the first firearm type (such as an AR-15 style rifle).

It is understood that the external shape of the insert 2 can be configured such that it matches the shape of any number of firearm types. For example, in one embodiment the magazine insert 2 may have an exterior shape as shown in FIG. 1, where the external shape is generally rectangular with a lip 14 toward the bottom of the insert 2 and two winged flaps 16 at the top of the insert 2. These winged flaps and lip are features of the proprietary HK417 magazine type, and thus having these features on the insert 2 allows the insert to be properly inserted into an HK417 rifle. Alternatively, the external shape of the insert 2 may be represented by the insert in FIG. 5, with the insert 2 having a shorter rectangular shape and no winged flaps off of the top. For either example, or for other embodiments of the insert not explicitly provided as examples herein, the external shape of the insert 2 is configured to match the shape of the magazine well or lower receiver of the first firearm model.

The internal compartment of the insert 2 is configured to receive a magazine 4. An opening to the internal compartment is located on the bottom of the insert 2 such that a magazine 4 can be slid into the bottom of the insert 2. FIGS. 1 and 4 show the magazine 4 inserted into the bottom of the insert 2. The shape of the internal compartment of the insert 2 corresponds to the shape of the magazine 4 type of the second firearm model, such as a standard SR-25 pattern magazine. It is understood that, while the preferred internal shape is rectangular as most magazine 4 types are rectangular in shape, any internal shape may be created for various magazine 4 shapes. Because the shape of the second magazine 4 type matches the shape of the internal compartment, the second magazine 4 type fits snugly into the compartment of the insert 2. Once the magazine 4 is pushed into the compartment of the insert 2, the insert 2 with the magazine 4 can be placed into the magazine well 5 or the lower receiver 10 of the first firearm type. The insert 2 is preferably attached inside the magazine well 5 with an external attachment system. In one embodiment, the insert 2 is locked into place outside the lower receiver 10 by supports, screws, pins, or other attachment systems. Alternatively, the insert may be attached by adhesive material.

The magazine well insert 2 also includes a notch or opening 6 operable to receive the magazine catch of the installed magazine 4 to insure proper fit into the weapon. For example, in one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the magazine well insert 2 includes a notch 6 to receive an SR-25 pattern magazine catch such that the magazine 4 is properly fitted to the HK417/MR762 rifle. A magazine catch is well known in the art to be a metal lever that is spring loaded to keep the magazine in its proper placement for functioning. The notch 6 of the present invention allows the magazine catch corresponding to the second magazine 4 type (for example, a standard SR-25 pattern magazine) to function properly with the first firearm model. The second magazine 4 type is held in the proper position such that the weapon can feed the rounds. In one embodiment, the present invention adds a SR-25 pattern magazine catch 6 that replaces the original HK417/MR762 magazine catch.

All terms used herein should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. When a grouping is used herein, all individual members of the group and all combinations and subcombinations possible of the group are intended to be individually included. When a range is stated herein, the range is intended to include all subranges and individual points within the range. All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent that there is no inconsistency with the disclosure of this specification.

The present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments that are intended to be exemplary only and not limiting to the full scope of the present invention. While the HK417 rifle and SR-25 pattern magazine have been described as an example, it should be understood that the magazine well insert of the present invention may be utilized for other firearms to permit use of an alternate type of magazines and alternate types of weapons. Just as described above, the outside surface of the insert must correspond to the magazine well of the firearm and the inside surface of the insert must correspond to the alternative type of magazine. 

1. A magazine well insert, comprising: a plurality of walls configured to form an internal compartment, wherein said magazine well insert is configured to be inserted into a magazine well of a first firearm, wherein said internal compartment of said magazine well insert is configured to receive a magazine of a second firearm.
 2. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said magazine well insert comprises a first piece and a second piece, wherein said first piece comprises some of said plurality of walls and said second piece comprises some of said plurality of walls.
 3. The magazine well insert of claim 2, wherein said first piece of said magazine well insert is configured to interlock with said second piece of said magazine well insert.
 4. The magazine well insert of claim 1, further comprising a notch in one of said plurality of walls, wherein said notch is configured to receive a magazine catch of said magazine of said second firearm.
 5. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said magazine well insert is configured to be held inside said magazine well of said first firearm via an attachment system.
 6. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said first firearm is a HK417 rifle or a MR762 rifle.
 7. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said first firearm is an AR-15 rifle.
 8. The magazine well insert of claim 1, wherein said magazine of said second firearm is an SR-25 rifle magazine. 